March 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were lower in early
afternoon trading on Thursday, dragged down by health and tech
stocks, and as investors awaited the crucial monthly jobs
report.

Earlier in the day, data showed weekly jobless claims rose
unexpectedly. The data comes ahead of the comprehensive labor
report for February on Friday. The report is expected to show an
addition of 190,000 jobs, compared with 151,000 in January.

Other data showed that employment in the services sector
contracted in February for the first time in two years and
factory orders fell.

While concerns linger over the state of the global economy,
upbeat data from major economies this week and signs of a
rebound in commodity prices have helped ease some of those
worries.
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